Xiao Yu's Departure

"The Primary Leader Bloodline Secret Medicine... had improved their potential and intelligence, but in the end, it couldn't help them break through the shackles of their species and age in such a short time, granting them the overwhelming power to match high-ranking Spirit Masters."

Watching Yu Yi in pain, Xiao Yu understood.

Although Yu Yi and the others had grown to around three thousand years old, they were still no match for Soul Kings with rich combat experience and seamless teamwork.

What could help Soul Beasts improve their strength and bloodline rank in a short time? Xiao Yu pondered. He wasn't counting on the Bloodline Secret Medicine. That stuff was meant to raise their ceiling; age was just a bonus.

Just then, a thought flashed through his mind like lightning—Immortal Herbs!

He remembered the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well from the original story, and the immortal-grade herbs said to possess the power to reshape creation itself!

Lovesick Heartbreak Red, Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, Ghost Silk Immortal Grade... These Immortal Herbs could greatly improve a Spirit Master's strength and potential. For Soul Beasts, their effects would likely be even more incredible!

If he could find Immortal Herbs suited to Yu Yi and the others, they would be reborn, their strength would soar, and they might even break through their species' limits!

"Sunset Forest... the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well..." Xiao Yu's gaze grew resolute.

From Qian Renxue, he knew that the Spirit Master Tournament was two months away, and Shrek Academy should still be on its way here.

The Immortal Herbs had been obtained after Shrek Academy arrived in Heaven Dou City and Tang San was taken away by Poison Douluo. So, according to the timeline, Tang San hadn't taken the herbs yet.

Time was short! Poison Douluo Dugu Bo was likely staying in Heaven Dou City to spend time with his granddaughter, Dugu Yan, with the Spirit Master Tournament approaching. This was when the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well's defenses were at their weakest.

If he missed this window, everything would be lost once Dugu Bo returned—or Tang San got there first.

He gently brushed his wing over Yu San's injured wing, sending soothing thoughts through Wing-Type Affinity. Hang in there. I'll find a way to make you stronger. I won't let you get hurt like this again.

Yu Yi answered weakly, its eyes full of trust in Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu lifted his head and looked toward Sunset Forest, his gaze sharp as a blade.

He planned to leave at once. The longer he waited, the greater the chance of something going wrong. When Qian Renxue came tomorrow and saw he was gone and Yu Yi and the others were injured, she would realize what had happened—and that would buy him some time.

After giving Yu Er and the others a few simple instructions, Xiao Yu hesitated no longer.

He gave his companions one last look, especially Yu Yi, whose wing was still stained with blood. A flicker of sorrow crossed his eyes before determination took its place.

His wings beat fiercely. Under the moonlight, his sacred feathers traced a brilliant stream of light as his massive body shot into the sky!

"Aw—!" A clear, far-reaching cry rang through the night.

He became a blue-white shooting star tearing through the darkness, racing toward Sunset Forest at top speed!

The wind howled past his ears as the forest below sped by.

Dawn broke over the horizon.

Aoris was drenched in blood. The terrible wound in his left shoulder, where a light spear had pierced him, had been forcibly sealed with Soul Power, but the pain still hindered his movements.

His face was as pale as paper, his breathing weak. He practically crawled back to the Prince's Mansion.

Xue Xing was startled when a blood-covered man suddenly pushed open his door. He was about to call for the guards when he took a closer look. Wasn't that Aoris?

"Aoris, what happened to you? Who dared lay a hand on one of my men?" Xue Xing hurried over, his face full of disbelief.

"Y-Your Highness!" Aoris collapsed before Xue Xing, his voice hoarse and shaken with the terror of having survived by a hair. "W-We failed! That... that wasn't an ordinary thousand-year Soul Beast! It was a monster! A real monster!"

"What?!" Xue Xing furrowed his brow and stared at Aoris in disbelief. What did he mean, they had failed?

"Aoris! You're a Soul Emperor, and you had three Soul Kings with you! How could..." Xue Xing couldn't believe it. It was just a thousand-year Soul Beast. No matter how unusual it was, could it really be stronger than a Soul Emperor? This had to be a joke!

But Aoris could no longer answer. He had suffered severe injuries and traveled all night; he was utterly exhausted. Speaking at all had been the limit. By the time Xue Xing realized it, Aoris had already passed out.

"Someone!" Xue Xing hurriedly called for help to treat Aoris, then sat in his chair, troubled.

He had meant to ask what had happened to the other Soul Kings, but seeing Aoris in such a state, there was no need. They were most likely dead.

Ha. Dead—killed by a thousand-year Soul Beast. Three Soul Kings. How absurd.

"What kind of Soul Beast is this..." Xue Xing was heartbroken. Soul Kings were difficult to raise. Aoris was still alive, but he might as well be dead. Even if he recovered, he would be useless.

Even as a prince, he had few Soul Masters at the Soul Emperor level under his command. Losing one like this was bound to infuriate him.

But he had to keep his head. The deed had already been done, and he knew Xue Qinghe visited the Royal Soul Beast Forest every day to see that Soul Beast. Trying again now would be foolish.

"Xue Beng, Xue Beng, you've really landed me in a mess..." Xue Xing rubbed his aching head.

Elsewhere, Qian Renxue arrived as usual, carrying a selection of fresh fruit, and stepped into the familiar territory.

But today, the atmosphere was completely different.

A faint smell of blood still lingered in the air.

At the edge of the platform, Yu Si and Yu Wu stood like two cold statues, warily scanning the area below. Their gazes were sharp as blades, full of suspicion and hostility. Their usual calm was gone.

When they saw Qian Renxue, they recognized her, but their wariness didn't fade. Instead, they let out a low, warning cry.

Last night's events had reminded them to be wary of humans. They couldn't lower their guard, not even around Qian Renxue.

Qian Renxue's heart sank.

She sensed something was wrong and quickly looked over the platform, but the familiar figure was nowhere to be seen.

"Where's Yu?" she asked softly, a bad feeling rising in her heart.

Yu Si and Yu Wu didn't answer. They continued to watch her and the guards behind her warily.

Qian Renxue's gaze fell on the middle of the platform. Yu Yi, Yu Er, and Yu San were lying there weakly, their bodies crudely wrapped in leaves and vines. Blood still seeped through, and their wounds were horrifying.

Yu Yi's left wing was especially shocking, pierced clean through!